# First Automotive Crash Test Was Done in the 1930s by Chrysler! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 4, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-automotive-crash-test-was-done-in-the-1930s-by-chrysler/382779 "2006-12-04T01:58:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-automotive-crash-test-was-done-in-the-1930s-by-chrysler/382779/1 "2006-12-04T01:58:19Z")
The Feb. 2007 issue of _Collectible Automobile_ has an interesting article entitled _Automotive Safety in the Pre-Nader Years_. (Yes, it mentions Tuckers. :D) There’s a few, IMHO, glaring admissions in the article, such as no mention of Eddie Rickenbacker’s attempt at building a “safety car,” the Stutz Blackhawk, or Packards, but it does have a [nifty photo of Chrysler “crash testing” a 1934 Airflow.](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c228/tuckerfan/crashtest.jpg) Basically, they pushed it off a cliff, then when it landed (on all four wheels), a guy walked up, got into the car and drove it away. There’s supposed to be film footage of this. I wonder if it survived? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-automotive-crash-test-was-done-in-the-1930s-by-chrysler/382779/2 "2006-12-04T02:10:13Z")
[Could be.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Airflow) > [@](#): > > Rumors also persisted that the “new-fangled” body was unsafe, which was mostly true. In one widely distributed advertising film shown in movie theatres, an empty Airflow was pushed off a Pennsylvania cliff, falling over 110 feet; once righted, the car was driven off, battered, but recognizable. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-automotive-crash-test-was-done-in-the-1930s-by-chrysler/382779/3 "2006-12-04T03:29:47Z")
[QUOTE=Tuckerfan] Basically, they pushed it off a cliff, then when it landed (on all four wheels), a guy walked up, got into the car and drove it away. [/QUOTE] Lovingly referred to in the industry as the “Wile E. Coyote Test.”